American Sign Language: "gender"

GENDER:
Every once in a while someone asks me "How do you sign, 'gender?'"
That is a tricky question because even though I know of "a" sign for "gender"
that doesn't mean it is "the" sign for gender or that you should use ANY
specific sign for "gender." Just because I use a particular sign myself and have
seen a number of other people use it doesn't mean I should canonize* that
sign in a dictionary. Putting a sign in a dictionary such as this one
tends to lend legitimacy to the sign and cause viewers to think that this is THE
sign. That isn't the case with the sign "gender." Realistically there is no
widely established sign for "gender" and many people would just "spell it" or
use a combination of MALE and
FEMALE. But since I have seen this sign "out
there" on occasion, I'll share it with you here in case you are an interpreter
and need it for a biology class or something.

An interesting note regarding this sign, is that the "X" handshape is likely due
to the concept of the "X" chromosome as in "X" and "Y" chromosomes determining
the gender of a baby. The locations on the head are perhaps remnant of the
concepts "cap" (as in a hat - traditionally worn by boys) and a bonnet (tied at
the chin and traditionally worn by girls).

GENDER (version) = MALE "or"-(bodyshift) FEMALE
Note: In everyday use if I were expressing the concept of "gender" I would sign
"MALE" OR-(bodyshift) FEMALE.

Note: "canonize"
For those of you who read the word "canonize" (above) and are still wondering
what it means, (if you haven't already looked it up), here is the definition:

* can·on·ize
tr.v. can·on·ized, can·on·iz·ing, can·on·iz·es
1. To declare (a deceased person) to be a saint and entitled to be fully honored
as such.
2. To include in the biblical canon.
3. To include in a literary canon.
4. To approve as being within canon law.
5. To treat as sacred; glorify.(source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/canonize)

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